corruptionist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Historical, Polemical
Quick answer
What does “corruptionist” mean?
A person who advocates or supports corruption, especially in political or financial systems.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who advocates or supports corruption, especially in political or financial systems.
A person who believes in or promotes corrupt practices as a means to an end, or who defends the existence of corruption in institutions. Historically, the term was also used in economic debates regarding currency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. The term is archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly negative, implying deliberate advocacy of immoral or illegal practices.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both regions. Slightly more attested in historical American political texts.
Grammar
How to Use “corruptionist” in a Sentence
[The/That] corruptionist + [verb e.g., advocated, defended, was exposed]Label/Accuse/Dismiss + [someone] as a corruptionistVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corruptionist” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The pamphlet sought to corruptionise the public debate, but failed.
American English
- He was accused of trying to corruptionise the tender process.
adverb
British English
- He argued corruptionistically for the benefits of patronage.
American English
- The policy was corruptionistically designed to benefit insiders.
adjective
British English
- His corruptionist views were outlined in the manifesto.
American English
- The corruptionist faction within the party gained brief influence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in historical or political science texts analysing 19th-century politics.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered.
Technical
Not a technical term in any contemporary field.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corruptionist”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corruptionist”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corruptionist”
- Using it as a synonym for a generic 'corrupt person'. Using it in modern contexts where 'corrupt official' or 'fraudster' is more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and very rare word, primarily found in historical texts.
A 'corrupt person' engages in corruption. A 'corruptionist' actively advocates for or defends corrupt systems or practices as a principle.
Only in very specific historical or rhetorical contexts. In modern academic or professional writing, more precise terms like 'advocate of corruption' or specific labels like 'kleptocrat' are preferred.
The verb 'to corruptionise' is extremely rare, non-standard, and not recommended for use.
A person who advocates or supports corruption, especially in political or financial systems.
Corruptionist: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈrʌp.ʃən.ɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈrʌp.ʃən.ɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A nest of corruptionists”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A corruption-IST makes it their doctrine (-ist) to support corruption.
Conceptual Metaphor
CORRUPTION IS A DISEASE (with the corruptionist as a carrier or advocate of the disease).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'corruptionist' MOST likely to be found?